File, binder, or the like.



W. A. COOKE, In.

FILE, BINDER, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION HLED APR.26. I915.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917;.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Figi.

INVENTOR & Z %M By Attorneys,

mus PrrEn: 0a,. rnomu'rum. minimum; a a

W. A. COOKE, In.

FILE, BINDER, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.26, 191s.

mmwm I Patented Apr. 10,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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INVENTOR By iz'orneys,

WlT NESSES WILLIAM 'A. COOKIE, $3., 013 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FILE, BINDER, OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 10, 19147.

Application filed April 26, 1915. Serial No. 24,087.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that LVILLIAM A.C0oKE, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Files,

Binders, or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to files, binders, loose leaf books or the like, and aims to pro .vide certain improvements therein.

The invention is particularly directed to that type of letter file in which the file itself carries means whereby the sheets to be filed may be perforated. Such a construction is illustrated in Letters Patent No. 1,107,657, granted to me, wherein the device comprises a binder having filing prongs or tongues formed of flexible metal which are adapted to be bent over the top of the sheets which are filed, and held in their bent position by clamping members. The perforating means comprise one or more apertures formed in the cover, over which the sheet of paper 1s laid, and a flap or the like which is bent downwardly over the top of the sheet so that a pencil or other device may be passed through the sheet, the parts just described serving as guides and forming-apertures for the perforations.

According to the present invention the perforating apertures are located at the binding means and preferably formed as a part thereof. The perforations in the cover may hence be omitted and the flap or its equivalent displaced to the middle of the file so that a neater appearance is obtained.

Other features of the construction will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 illustrates a file or binder, provided with covers, in open position, showing the binding means in closed position (parts of the covers being broken away).

Fig. 2 illustrates the binder in partially opened position. 4 i

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the binder, in closed position, on the line 2-2, Fig. 4, looking upward.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the binder on the line M, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the binder on the line 5-5, Fig. 1.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate in plan other embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, A designates one or more binding prongs or tongues, which are adapted to pass through the paper sheets or the like to be filed, and which are preferably of ductile metal adapted to be bent and straightened in the operations of filing the papers and the closing binder. The prongs A are suitably mounted in the binder and preferably upon a binding strip E, which in this case forms the base against which the filed papers rest. The opposite binding strip indicated by the reference letter B, is designed to pass over the prongs at the top of the series of papers, the prongs being then bent to lie fiat against the strip. The strip B is provided with openings 1) through which the prongs pass, and preferably such openings are formed as recesses having open sides so that the prongs may be inserted sidewise. When the prongs are bent down, as shown in Fig. 2, they are held in place by suitable clamping members, preferably formed as indicated at CC in Fig. 2. In this position the clamps are open, being about to be closed over the tops of the prongs. The strip B is preferably reinforced by a metal plate D of U-form (see Fig. 6, for instance), to which metal plate the clamps C-C are pivoted.

The perforating means shown in the va rious figures of the drawing are indicated by the reference letter F. Such perforating means are arranged at or near the binding means and preferably cooperate to a certain extent with the latter. Such means may be mounted on the strip B or E and preferably comprise an apertured or recessed part adapted to overlie the binding means, the apertures being arranged at such points as to cooperate with openings in the binding means, such as Z). The apertures preferably correspond to the number of filing prongs, are preferably spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance apart of the prongs A, and are preferably coincident with the openings or apertures in the binding strip. The perforation means are also preferably adapted to limit or locate the paper sheet, when in perforating position, so that the perforations in the successive sheets will occupy a uniform distance from the adjacent edge of the sheet, thereby attaining uniformity in the pile of filed sheets.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, and Fig. 8, the perforatmg means are shown as com- 7 bined with the fastening or clamping means.

closed position.

In the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the per.- forating means are more or less independent of the prong-holding means or clamps.

In Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and Fig. 8, the overlying part is preferably formed by the clamping plate itself (Fig. 8) or by a part formed on the clamping plate (Figs. 1 to 5).

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the perforating apertures 7" are formed in the overlying part f. Apertures f are formed in the clamp beneath the apertures f and f are preferably formed so as to aline with the opening I) when the clamps are in The bend f between the part f and the clamp serves to limit the extent to which the paper sheet projects over the aperture when the sheet is in clamping position. 7

To perforate a paper sheet, it is placed beneath the overlying part 7, and a pointed pencil or other suitable implement is passed through the aperture f and forced through the sheet of paper, passing through the opening 7? in the clamp and through the opening 6, and may further pass alongside the prong A, into the perforations in the pile of filed papers. One perforation aperture may be employed with a partial realization of the advantages of the invention, though it is preferable to have the two perforation apertures and to employ both apertures in perforating the sheet preparatory to filing.

In Fig. 8, one or more perforation apertures f are formed in clamping plate C. In perforating the papers the clamping plate is unfastened and the paper sheet placed beneath the same, the plate constituting the overlying part of the perforation means. The clamping plate will then occupy the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 8, and the paper sheet may be perforated by passing a pointed pencil or the like through the aperture or apertures 7, through the paper sheet, and thence through the opening I) alongside the prongs A.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9, a plate f is provided adapted to overlie the clamping plate C. The plate f is provided with recesses f coincident with the openings 2) in the strip B. The clamping plates C may also be provided with apertures 7? adapted to coincide with the opening I) when the clamping plate C is in closed position. Toperforate a sheet, the sheet is placed beneath the overlying part 7, and a pointed pe'ncil placed in the recess f and pressed through the paper, the pencil passing through the recess 7 in the clamping plate C (if the clamping plate C is in closing position), and thence into the recess 7) alongside the prong A or directly into the opening 6. V r

neath the plate f, the plate being swung P over for this purpose, and a pointed pencil passed through the aperture 7, through the underlying paper sheet, through the apertures f if the clamping plates C are in closed position, and into the openings 1), alongside the prongs A, or directly into the openings 6.

In each of the forms illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10 inclusive, the extent to which the paper sheet projects over the aperture may be determined by the hinge or bend connecting the plate C or plates 7, f, to the parts to which they are connected.

'In order to maintain the prongs A more securely in fastened position, longitudinal abutments d cl may be provided on the reinforcing plate D, on one or both sides of the prong. These abutments d 03 may be conveniently formed by struck-up portions of the plate D, as shown. This construction is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7, Fig. 6 being a transverse section of the plate 011 the line 6-6, Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 being a longitudinal section of the plate D on the line 77, Fig. 2.

The file or binder may be conveniently formed with covers G and H.

Certain of the embodiments illustrated herein are specifically claimed in other applications.

The inventive idea is capable of other embodiments than those herein specifically illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A hinder or file comprising a binding strip, a bendable prong ooacting with the binding strip, a clamp for the bendable prong, and perforation means on said clamp.

2. A binder or file comprising a bendable prong, a binding strip over which the prong is bent, a cover, and a part distinct from the cover, adapted to overlie the bendable prong, and perforation means on said part.

3. A binder or file, comprising a cover having a binding strip, bendable filing prongs, openings in said binding strip for said prongs, and perforation-means independent of said cover mounted upon said binding strip, having means adapted to guide a user in passing a pointed instrument through a piece of paper, said guide means being adapted to lie coincident with an openbe bent to close them, and means for retaining said filing prongs in closed position, said retaining means having perforationmeans thereon.

5. A binder or file, comprising a binding strip, filing prongs or filaments, adapted to be bent to close them, and means for retaining said filing prongs in closed position, said retaining means having a part adapted ti, overlie a sheet of paper and having perforation-means thereon.

6. A binder or file, comprising a binding strip, filing prongs or filaments, openings in said binding strip for said prongs, means for retaining said prongs in closed position, said retaining-means having means thereon coinciding With an opening in said binding strip and adapted to guide a user in passing a pointed instrument through a piece of paper.

7. A binder or file, comprising a binding strip, filing prongs or filaments, openings in said binding strip for said prongs, means for retaining said prongs in closed position, said retaining-means having an overlying part, said part having means thereon coinciding With an opening in said binding strip and adapted to guide a user in passing a pointed instrument through a piece of paper.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM A. COOKE, JR. Witnesses:

A. T. GARLAND, M. S. MIDDLETON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

